Acute exercise prevents the development of neuropathic pain and the sprouting of non-peptidergic (GDNF- and artemin-responsive) c-fibers after spinal cord injury

Exp Neurol, 2014 · DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.02.013 · Published: May 1, 2014

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Pain Management

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries can lead to chronic pain due to disrupted sensory signals. This study explores how exercise impacts this pain and related nerve fiber changes. The research focuses on neurotrophic factors (GDNF and artemin) which support neuron survival, and how exercise might influence their levels after a spinal cord injury. The results indicate that early exercise after spinal cord injury can prevent the development of neuropathic pain, maintain normal levels of GDNF and artemin, and prevent abnormal nerve fiber growth.

Study Duration

37 days

Participants

81 adult, female, Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Early exercise therapy significantly reduces the incidence of tactile allodynia in rats after spinal cord injury.
2
Spinal cord injury-induced allodynia is associated with decreased levels of GDNF and artemin in the dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord.
3
Exercise therapy prevents the redistribution and increased density of GFL-responsive pain afferents in the dorsal horn after spinal cord injury.

Research Summary

This study investigates the impact of early exercise on neuropathic pain development, neurotrophic factor levels, and sensory fiber plasticity following spinal cord injury in rats. The findings demonstrate that exercise reduces the incidence of tactile allodynia, maintains normal levels of GDNF and artemin, and prevents aberrant sprouting of GFL-responsive pain fibers. These results suggest that exercise-induced modulation of GFLs may be a promising non-pharmacological approach for managing neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Early exercise interventions may offer a non-pharmacological strategy for preventing neuropathic pain development following spinal cord injury.

Neurotrophic Factor Modulation

Exercise can influence neurotrophic factor levels (GDNF and artemin) which play a critical role in managing pain fiber plasticity.

Targeted Rehabilitation

Rhythmic, load-bearing exercise improves tactile sensation by maintaining the normal distribution of mechanosensitive nociceptive afferents.

Study Limitations

1
Assessment of tactile sensation so early after SCI is not reliable.
2
The study focuses on the preventative effects of exercise, and whether it can reverse established neuropathic pain requires further investigation.
3
Compositional change was beyond the scope of the present experiments

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury